Tascam announces the debut of the SB-16D 16-in/16-out Dante Enabled Stage Box. The Tascam SB-16D stage box is designed for Dante networking and seamless integration with the new Tascam Sonicview Digital Recording and Mixing Consoles. Controllable by means of the Tascam IO Control app or via the new Sonicview consoles, the SB-16D can be used as a floor stage box or rack mounted, and multiple stage boxes can be used simultaneously in a Dante network.
The new SB-16D offers a full complement of I/O and is designed to accommodate large ensembles and extensive installed Dante systems using the SB-16D's 16 XLR mic/line inputs and 16 XLR line outputs. If more I/O capacity is required, multiple SB-16D stage boxes can be networked. Each input channel has +48V phantom power and an SIG OL LED for input-level monitoring. Additionally, each line output is equipped with SIG OL LEDs.
Two Dante ports equipped with etherCON-compatible Dante connectors enable redundant streams with robust connections. For additional system reliability, a DC power input is provided that allows a redundant power supply (not included).
As available in the Tascam Sonicview recording mixers, each SB-16D microphone input feeds a Tascam Class 1 HDIA (High-Definition Instrumentation Architecture) mic preamp. “Thanks to an instrumentation amplifier with exceptional noise characteristics in the first stage, Class 1 HDIA microphone preamps are extremely quiet achieving a -128 dBu EIN, a high signal-to-noise and distortion ratio, and excellent frequency response. The mic inputs can accept up to +32 dBu signals—providing plenty of headroom for sudden level increases,” according to the announcement.
As with Tascam Sonicview recording mixers, the SB-16D uses 32-bit analog-to-digital converters and a 96 kHz sampling frequency.
The new Tascam SB-16D stage box offers seamless integration with Sonicview recording mixers. When a SB-16D stage box is connected to a Sonicview 16XP or 24XP recording mixer, microphone gain can be remotely controlled from the mixing console, and all SB-16D I/O comes up on the Tascam Sonicview View touch screens for ease of use. In addition, the SB-16D is equipped with 8-in/8-out GPIOs, which expand to 16-in/16-out GPIOs when connected to a Sonicview recording mixer, facilitating parallel control.
In addition to system integration with the Sonicview consoles, the new SB-16D can also be controlled via the Tascam IO Control Remote Control App. Available for macOS, Windows, and iPadOS, users have complete control—regardless of whether the SB-16D is onstage, backstage, in a control room, or in an equipment closet.
It can be deployed for either floor or rack applications, whether a networked floor box for stage use is preferred, or rack-mounted inputs for recording and broadcast studios as well as commercial installations. It can be 3U rack-mounted with the included brackets, which offer two angle options. Mount the jack panel on the front of the rack and take advantage of the SB-16D's cable hole to conveniently and safely route connected cables in the back.
Large rubber feet maintain stability, even with cables connected, when the SB-16D is used as a floor box. Multiple stage boxes can be stacked for ease of transportation and stability during installation. A handle makes the SB-16D easy to carry.
The Tascam SB-16D 16-in/16-out Dante Stage Box is slated to become available in Q2, 2023. For additional information, visit tascam.com
